UPDATE: Two South Florida voters have urgently challenged Governor Ron DeSantis in the Florida Supreme Court over his controversial call for mid-decade congressional redistricting. This pivotal legal action seeks to determine whether DeSantis overstepped his authority with a proclamation issued on January 7 for a special legislative session the week of April 20 to redraw congressional boundaries.
The petition, filed by Elizabeth Pines from Miami-Dade County and Eugene Pettis from Broward County, raises critical questions about the legality of DeSantis’ directive, which delayed candidate qualifying from the week of April 20 to June 8-12. The petition asserts that the governor’s actions infringe on the Legislature’s powers, claiming it violates Florida’s separation of powers.
“The Governor’s and Secretary’s unilateral attempt to bind the Legislature into undergoing legally unnecessary redistricting violates Florida’s separation of powers,” the petition states. Respondents named in the case include DeSantis and Secretary of State Cord Byrd. Representatives from both offices have yet to issue a response.
If the court rules against DeSantis, the petitioners seek to render his proclamation and directive ineffective unless the Legislature approves a reapportionment plan or enacts legislation for redistricting this year. The legal team representing Pines and Pettis includes attorneys Frederick Wermuth and Christina Ford from the Elias Law Group LLP in Washington, D.C., known for its involvement in high-profile voting rights cases.
The implications of this case are significant. According to Democracy Docket, founded by prominent election lawyer Marc Elias, Florida could become the fourth GOP-led state to pursue mid-decade redistricting, potentially aiding Republican efforts to maintain control of the U.S. House. Historically, redistricting occurs only after the U.S. census, making this move highly unusual.
The governor argues that new congressional district lines are necessary to reflect Florida’s growing population since the 2020 census. Republican Party of Florida chair Evan Power has speculated that redistricting could allow the party to gain three to five seats, impacting districts primarily in Tampa, Orlando, and South Florida.
Opposition is mounting, with Democrats and groups like the League of Women Voters of Florida warning that mid-decade redistricting could lead to costly legal battles. These disputes would likely focus on the 2010 Fair Districts amendments, which set standards for redistricting in Florida.
As the situation unfolds, all eyes are on the Florida Supreme Court. The decision could set a precedent for how redistricting is conducted in years to come and directly impact the political landscape in Florida.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as both sides prepare for what could be a landmark ruling.
